"You May Not Agree With Me, But You Know Where I Stand" - Which Dem Wins This Award?

[DrFunkenstein]

Now that Sen. Clinton's reputation for double-talking has come to the fore and her trustworthiness numbers have dropped from already dismal levels, the change serves to highlight a central part of Obama's campaigning style.

For months now, Obama has almost perversely made a point of telling people what they don't want to hear - but things they need to hear.

He tells the auto industry unions about the importance of fuel efficiency, and tells teachers about the need for merit based pay.

The practice has left the media scratching their collective head after so many years of calculated pandering. It was taken for granted as a necessity, particularly in the Democratic party.

This need to please every constituency group along the road has repeatedly allowed Republicans to come in and drop the classic line: "You may not agree with me, or you may think I'm scumbag bigot, but at least you know where I stand." (ok, that may not be an exact quote)

I must admit that I find it refreshing that a Democrat can finally deliver a version of this line that promotes social responsibility, rather than the typical reactionary drivel that most often accompanies such a statement.

The more that the current frontrunner highlights her intense secrecy and inability to say an inconvenient truth (or just about anything that hasn't been thoroughly poll-tested), the more it sheds light on just how refreshing the Obama campaign has proven.

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Ps - It must also be said that Mitt Romney would win the "You may agree with the position I'm currently endorsing, but you still have no idea where I stand" award on the GOP side.

[CyberPieHole]

1. Obama talks out of both sides of his mouth when he speaks about civil rights issues...

McClurkin proved that to us. In at least that instance, Obama wanted to have it both ways and one does not really know where he stands.

[Sandaasu]

4. Well, I think it's known where he stands.

He's with us (GLBT folk), but I think he needs to be better about not shying away from it when dealing with evangelicals. He seems to have been making some effort there lately.

[CyberPieHole]

6. Not so cut and dry for me...

the McClurkin episode made me lose all respect for Obama. I would, of course, vote for him if he was our candidate in the general election. But I could never vote for him in the primary.

[MethuenProgressive]

8. The embrace of the bigot wing of his church - that action speaks louder than words.

He had a chance to act in support of human rights.
He choose to publicly pick sides.

[saltpoint]

2. I might give the nod to Gravel.

[silverweb]

3. Obama!

GObama!

[MonkeyFunk]

5. That would have to be Gravel

[caseycoon]

7. Kucinich leaves no doubt

about where he stands on ALL the issues.

[riqster]

9. Damned straight!

DK's my guy in the Primary. Hey, front-runners, I got your 'unelectable', RIGHT HERE....

[1corona4u]

10. Yes, and Obama also...

Tells people; "There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America - there's the United States of America."

http://www.countercurrents.org/kimberley170507.htm

Which AA's people don't take too well. From reading comments on web, a lot of AA's don't support him. Which would be why Michelle Obama said; "black America will wake up and get it"

Now, I don't know about you, but if that comment would have been directed at me, I would totally go the other way...which, from what I read is exactly what is happening.